Daily Treasure

“And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever”  (Revelation 20:10).

Our study writer shares these words: “From beginning to end, Satan will not give up the fight. But his doom is already determined and sealed.”  With that in mind, don’t go out to daily battle unarmed.  But remember, the devil will one day get what is coming to him. Don’t give up the fight.

The Enemy will be finally be defeated forever and ever.

Sue Winchester
Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER: Pray for WNAC Pre-Con meetings this week in Tampa and for Florida State WAC leaders as they prepare to host the 2013 convention.

“Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us” (Romans 8:37).

I like the quote from Chip Ingram in this week’s Treasure study:  “We don’t fight for victory, we fight from victory. In Christ’s power we are invincible!”  The “in all these things” mentioned in our verse we see “tribulation, distress, persecution, famine, nakedness, peril, or sword” found in Romans 8:35.  I believe today’s verse tells us we don’t have to worry when anything comes our way. We  don’t have to back down in fear and let the Enemy win.  We can overcome through “him that loved us.”  We don’t have to be a victim. Through the power of God, we can be a victor.

Sue Winchester
Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER: Pray for the WNAC pre-con meetings today and tomorrow in Tampa, and for Elizabeth Hodges and Diana Bryant as they finalize plans for the upcoming convention.

“He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son” (Revelation 21:7).

It is wonderful to know we have the blessed hope of attaining something the Enemy can’t take away or destroy. It is definitely worth striving for at the end of this life.  In 1 Peter 1:3-4 we find these words: “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you.”

Thank God for that “lively hope” that will keep us pressing on. We can’t begin to comprehend what eternal life in Heaven will be like. I don’t want to miss it. How about you?

Sue Winchester
Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER: Pray for summer ministries in churches beginning this week or next. Ask God to use these special events or programs as effective means for getting out the gospel.

“I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith.  Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at the day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing” (2 Timothy 4:7-8).

Oh, that we all could testify, as Paul did, as we approach the end of our journey here on earth.

Paul had his eyes on the goal and he saw the prize—a “crown of righteousness” that would not only be given him, but “unto all them also that love [Christ’s] appearing.”  This marks the biggest victory we can attain in Christ.  Perhaps you have become battle-weary. Think of all the battles you have already won.  One day soon you will trade the cross you bear for a robe and crown. I love the song that contains these words:

Watch ye therefore,
You know not the day
When the Lord shall
Call your soul away.
If you’re fighting,
Striving for the right,
You shall wear a robe and crown.

Sue Winchester
Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER: Pray for Jaime and Abigail Hernandez and children, Daniela, Isaac, Juda and Efrein, associate home missionaries serving at the Primera Iglesia Baptista Livre in Elkhart, Indiana.

“For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.  Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?” (1 John 5:4-5).

The last week of our study is entitled “Our Victory.”  The “war strategy” results in victory.  I found the following statements regarding today’s verses written by David Guzik:”Being born of God is the source of our victory.  John begins with a principle that is so simple, yet so powerful—if we are born of God, we will overcome the world. The idea that anything born of God could be defeated by this world was strange to John and it should be strange to us.  Since believing on Him is the key to being born of God, the key to victory is faith.  Not only an initial “come-to-the-altar-and get saved” faith, but a consistently abiding faith, an ongoing reliance and trust upon Jesus Christ.”  Then in verse 5, “This tells us we overcome primarily because of who we are in Christ, not because of what we do. We overcome because we are born of God, and we are born of God because we believe that Jesus is the Son of God.”  Don’t give up the fight.  Stand firm in your faith.  The battle is His, but the victory is ours.

Sue Winchester
Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER: The Brazil CMP team arrives back in the U.S. today. Pray for safety and that ministry experiences in these last few weeks would have a lasting spiritual impact.

“When Moses saw that Aaron had let the people get completely out of control–and much to the amusement of their enemies–he stood at the entrance to the camp and shouted, All of you who are on the Lord’s side, come over here and join me.  And all the Levites came”  (Exodus 32:25-26 NLT).

A huge slip-up on the Israelites’ behalf.  A big mistake.  A sin.

And who was there to see it?  Their enemies.  The ones they would one day hope to win over to God.  The same folks who were doubting all this God-talk, wondering about this Promised Land the visitors kept referring to and undoubtedly scratched their heads over the ceremonies and lifestyles.

They saw the whole fiasco.

Your enemies will be watching you this week, too.

Your un-churched co-workers will be discreetly listening to each and every conversation you participate in.  Your unsaved loved ones will be watching your every reaction to life.  Your neighbors will be keeping an eye on your yard, overhearing you yell at the kids and studying how you deal with a car that won’t start or a dog that gets in your trash can–again.

What will they see?

Go ahead and decide right now how you’re going to react, what you’re going to say and what you might be caught doing—because they’re watching.

Malinda Edgell
Illinois

PRAY TOGETHER: Pray today for Free Will Baptist chaplains as they minister among military personnel and their families.

“There was a famine during David’s reign that lasted for three years so David asked the Lord about it…”  (2 Samuel 21:1 NLT).

I’m bothered by the footage of a mile-wide tornado’s destructive path.

I’m disgusted by the turn of events in society, what’s wrong, immoral and down-right disgusting, sells merchandise hand over fist.

I’m saddened by the effects cancer has on a body, on a mind, on a family.

I’m questioning leaders.

I’m wondering how hot global warming will get.

I’m puzzled by the fact that there is even a debate as to whether an unborn child is a life.

What do I do with all my doubts, fears, questions and worries?  I can carry them around, but as most of us know, that gets very heavy.  I can try to find the answers myself, but I’m incapable.  I can seek out officials, specialists, experts or superior minds, but they themselves tend to scratch their heads in wonder.

So, I’ll take an example from the life of David…

I’ll start going to the source of all answers.  I’ll start talking to the Creator of all there is,  was and will be.  I’ll start conversing with the One who knows all there is to know about all there is.

And when I’m not given an answer that clears up all confusion?  I’ll trust Him.  I’ll believe, with all that’s in me, that He will fill me in on what He needs me to know.  And those matters that continue to confound me?  Well, I’ll just have to think He and I will discuss them in Heaven—if they even cross my mind when I’m there.

Malinda Edgell
Illinois

PRAY TOGETHER: Pray for families in the Midwest as they regroup and begin recovery from recent storms. Pray also for Christians ministering in Myanmar, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh where over a million lives were affected by Cyclone Mahasen.